How can you co-create events with partners for maximum impact?

1 Identify your objectives and criteria

Before you start looking for potential partners, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your event and what kind of partners you are looking for. What are your main goals, outcomes, and metrics for success? What are your budget, timeline, and resources? What are the values, vision, and mission of your organization or brand? These questions will help you define your objectives and criteria for co-creating events with partners.

2 Research and reach out to potential partners

Once you have your objectives and criteria, you can start researching and reaching out to potential partners that match them. You can use various sources, such as online directories, social media, industry publications, or referrals, to find and contact potential partners. You should also consider your existing network, such as clients, suppliers, sponsors, or media partners, that might be interested in co-creating events with you. When you reach out to potential partners, you should highlight the benefits of co-creating events with you, such as exposure, access, credibility, or revenue.

3 Negotiate and agree on roles and responsibilities

After you have identified and contacted potential partners, you need to negotiate and agree on the roles and responsibilities of each partner in co-creating the event. This involves discussing and defining the scope, deliverables, expectations, and contributions of each partner, as well as the communication, decision-making, and feedback processes. You should also establish the terms and conditions of the partnership, such as the duration, termination, ownership, and compensation. You should document and formalize the agreement in a written contract or memorandum of understanding.

4 Collaborate and co-create the event

The next step is to collaborate and co-create the event with your partners. This involves planning and executing the various aspects of the event, such as the theme, content, format, speakers, audience, promotion, logistics, and evaluation. You should communicate regularly and effectively with your partners, share ideas and feedback, and leverage each partner's strengths and resources. You should also monitor and measure the progress and performance of the event and the partnership, and make adjustments as needed.

5 Celebrate and appreciate your partners

The final step is to celebrate and appreciate your partners for co-creating the event with you. This involves thanking and acknowledging your partners for their contributions, sharing the results and outcomes of the event and the partnership, and providing testimonials and referrals. You should also solicit and provide feedback to your partners, and identify the lessons learned and the best practices for future co-creation. You should also maintain and nurture the relationship with your partners, and explore opportunities for further collaboration.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?